The Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks enjoyed season-opening victories on Friday that featured stellar performances from their star players.
However, only one of these teams will start the season 2-0 as Minnesota visits Los Angeles for a tipoff late Sunday afternoon.
The Sparks host their home opener after rolling to an 84-67 win Friday night on the road against the Golden State Valkyries. Los Angeles pulled away with a strong second half in which it outscored Golden State 42-28.
Next comes a tough test for the Sparks, whose fans will get to see Kelsey Plum in her new home uniform for the first time. Plum made her Sparks debut on Friday and finished with 37 points to go along with six assists and a team-high five steals. Her scoring outburst set an WNBA record for most points in a season opener.
Plum is eager to maintain her successful start against Minnesota.
“I mean, I envisioned to win (my team debut),” Plum said after Friday’s victory. “It was an incredible atmosphere. You know, a lot to work on, but yeah it was really fun. I love playing basketball.”
The same is true for Napheesa Collier, the Lynx’s top scorer. Collier scored 34 points in her season opener — which temporarily tied the WNBA record for most points in an opener — and will try to outduel Plum in a battle of WNBA superstars.
Collier said she and her teammates would try to be better in their second game.
“Celebrating the win? Always,” Collier said after the Lynx beat the Dallas Wings on Friday. “Getting the win is great. But we see places we need to improve.”
Teammate Courtney Williams agreed.
“It’s one game,” Williams said. “In the locker room, we said, ‘43 more.’ ”
After Plum, the Sparks’ top three scorers entering Sunday are Dearica Hamby (14 points per game), Rickea Jackson (13) and Azura Stevens (11). Hamby led the team with 10 rebounds in the season opener.
For the Lynx, Williams abetted Collier in Friday’s opener with 25 points. Jessica Shepard (15 points) and Diamond Miller (13) also hit double digits.
The teams’ most recent meeting took place last Sept. 19, when the Sparks pulled away for a 68-51 victory in Minneapolis.
–Field Level Media
